North or South Albania? Which to Choose for Your Trip
Updated 2026-10-30 · 6 min read · Prices and schedules change — check locally.
How to plan a north and south Albania trip
- Fly into Tirana and spend a day there.
- Take the bus to Shkodër (about 2 h) and the morning furgon to Theth.
- Hike Theth–Valbona and return via the Koman Lake ferry to Shkodër.
- Back through Tirana, take the bus to Berat, then Gjirokastër.
- Finish on the coast in Sarandë and Ksamil, with Butrint and the Blue Eye nearby.
What is the difference between north and south Albania?
The north is mountains, lakes and remote villages; the south is the coast, beaches and UNESCO old towns.
| North | South | |
|---|---|---|
| Main places | Shkodër, Theth, Valbona, Koman | Berat, Gjirokastër, Riviera, Sarandë, Ksamil, Butrint |
| Best for | Hiking, lakes, mountain villages | Beaches, old towns, ancient sites |
| Best months | Mid-June to September (snow before) | May to October |
| Getting around | Bus to Shkodër, then furgons and the Koman ferry | Frequent buses along the main road |
| From Tirana | Shkodër about 2 h | Sarandë about 5–6 h |
Which is better for a first trip?
The south for most first-timers: it's easier to get around, has beaches and old towns, and works from May to October.
Choose the north if hiking is the main reason you're coming, and go between mid-June and September.
How do you get around each region?
Buses run often on both main routes from Tirana: about 40 a day to Shkodër and about 20 a day to Sarandë in the official timetable.
In the north, Theth and Valbona are reached by furgon from Shkodër, usually leaving around 07:00. In the south, buses link Berat, Gjirokastër and Sarandë, and local buses run along the coast in summer.
Can you do both in one trip?
Yes, with about 10–14 days: start in the north (Shkodër, Theth, Koman), pass through Tirana, then head south (Berat, Gjirokastër, the coast).
With a week or less, pick one region; travel between them takes most of a day.